Host nation Brazil — maybe unsurprisingly — features the most expensive squad, with their players totaling a £407 million of transfer value, according to Metro. The figure was boosted by Paris Saint-Germain recently agreeing to pay £50 million for David Luiz, making him the most-expensive defender in the world.

Other costly players on the Brazilian team include Givanildo Vieira de Souza — AKA Hulk — worth £49 million, Thiago Silva, signed for £34 million, and Willian Borges da Silva, signed for £32 million. This exclusive and talented squad bodes well for Brazil’s winning chances in the tournament — Goldman Sachs has already forecast the host country as the victor and Deutsche Bank said this week it finds Brazil most likely to win the soccer championship.

And looking only at the finances, a Brazilian victory almost looks like a done deal. The second most expensive squad in the tournament is 23% cheaper than the total value of Brazil’s players, with Spain’s crew coming in at £315.2 million. Belgium is third. Its group of extremely talented, young players has been labelled the dark horse of the World Cup.

Portuguese national soccer team player Cristiano Ronaldo in action during their training session at the New York Jets training center in Florham Park, NJPhoto: EPA